MEPs approve new Eurosur operating rules

The European Parliament today approved new operating rules in the running of the Eurosur border surveillance system.

Eurosur aims to improve the management of the EU's external land and sea borders by stepping up information exchange among member states and with the EU border management agency Frontex. This includes sharing real-time data and intelligence from various authorities and surveillance tools, such as satellites or ship reporting systems, via a protected communication network.

Through its new regulations, EU member states are now meant to be better equipped to prevent, detect, and combat irregular migration. Eurosur will enable member states to share real-time images and data on developments at the EU's external borders.

The network is designed to not only combat cross-border crime but also, on the insistence of the MEPs, to save migrants' lives.

"Only by having a pan-European border surveillance system can we prevent the Mediterranean from becoming a graveyard for refugees trying to cross it in unseaworthy small boats in search of a better life in Europe. To prevent a tragedy like that off Lampedusa from happening again, rapid intervention is necessary", said rapporteur Jan Mulder (ALDE, NL) in the plenary debate on Wednesday.

One of the main requirements imposed on EU countries using Eurosur will be to always respect human rights, including the 'non-refoulement' principle, which prohibits returning a person to a place where his or her life or freedoms could be threatened.

Eurosur rules will also require users to protect all EU fundamental rights, including personal data protection. Any exchange of personal data among EU member states or with third countries via Eurosur must remain an exception and comply with data protection laws.

Furthermore, member states must not use Eurosur to send third countries any information that could be used to identify a person whose request for international protection is being processed or whose life or physical integrity could be at risk.

Eurosur's operating rules have been agreed with national governments.

Bulgaria,  Estonia, Greece,  Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Cyprus,  Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Portugal,  Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia and Finland will start using Eurosur on 2 December 2013.  Other member states will follow suit on 1 December 2014.

The new Eurosur system was approved by 479 votes to 101, with 20 abstentions.